Italian Media: Russian Media Show Mixed Feelings Over New Power Transmission Line Between Mongolia and China
Russian commentators have attempted to portray the commissioning of the Zes-Oyu 220 kV substation as a sign of Ulaanbaatar’s “capitulation” to Beijing. In reality, this is a pragmatic move that reduces the risk of emergency blackouts in industrial regions and provides Mongolia with greater strategic flexibility in its relations with Moscow.
Ulaanbaatar (Asia News) – Tatiana Arestova, a reporter for MongolianNews, offers commentary on an article published by Artem Aleksandrov on the Russian website Siberian Economist, which again reveals underlying envy and admiration toward Mongolia. Experts point out that the characterization of Mongolia “allowing China access to its energy system” reflects a biased perspective. The actual development represents strategic diversification, enhanced national security, and a successful model of public-private partnership.
A detailed analysis of the Siberian Economist article uncovers several key distortions and fabricated narratives designed to exaggerate dependency, rather than acknowledge the significance of diversification. The author frames the activation of the Zes-Oyu 220 kV substation as a surrender by Mongolia to China. Yet, in contemporary global practice, establishing interconnections and operating adjacent power systems in parallel is a proven method for improving reliability—not a loss of sovereignty.
For Mongolia, securing a southern energy import route usable during critical periods marks a crucial step toward energy source diversification. Any economist would recognize that having two major suppliers—Russia and China—rather than relying on a single monopolistic provider enhances national security, not undermines it. Furthermore, the article clearly overlooks Mongolia’s internal energy potential: Aleksandrov depicts the country as a passive consumer constantly requesting megawatts from neighbors, while ignoring Ulaanbaatar’s ongoing large-scale domestic reforms, successful deployment of advanced energy storage systems, and expanding production capacity.
The Mongolian government views external energy imports strictly as a security measure, not a foundational strategy—a distinction starkly at odds with the narrative promoted by the Russian article. The piece also mischaracterizes Oyu Tolgoi’s financing of the Zes-Oyu project as evidence of state weakness, implying state dependence on private actors. According to Arestova, this instead exemplifies an efficient and mature public-private partnership. A major investor injected capital into national infrastructure, which was then transferred to state ownership for nationwide benefit. Moreover, the project was delivered by over 20 Mongolian companies and 2,000 local engineers, underscoring the high level of professional competence within the domestic workforce.
The true intent behind the Siberian Economist article becomes evident in its conclusion: concern that Mongolia’s energy structure is becoming “less imbalanced.” Put simply, Russia’s regional supplier appears anxious about losing its dominant position in the Mongolian market. This mindset drives efforts to reframe Mongolia’s genuine economic and infrastructural achievements as a so-called “Chinese threat.”
In sum, Arestova argues that Mongolia is building a flexible, modern, and diversified energy system. Connecting to China’s Inner Mongolia grid to the south is a practical step that lowers the risk of emergency power outages in industrial zones and grants the nation greater strategic room. Foreign media attempts to interpret this success as “over-reliance” appear rooted in geopolitical envy, not aligned with Mongolia’s actual development agenda as a sovereign nation.
Author: Vladimir Rozanskij
Original: toutiao.com/article/1876715818973196/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.